A recent military operation in Imo State has claimed the lives of two undisclosed officers while one remains missing, the Nigerian Army reports.
A statement on Saturday by the Army revealed how troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, although they killed an unspecified number of criminals, recorded a loss on their part.
The operation which occurred on Friday witnessed a raid on members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The troops while returning from routine patrols responded to a distress call of IPOB/ESN attack on Osina Community, on arrival, the troops engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower as the dissidents withdrew in disarray.
“Unfortunately, 2 security agents had been killed in action and 1 other missing in action and their weapons, an AK 47 Rifle and a Tear Gas Launcher were carted away by the terrorists,” the Army said.
The statement revealed that the corpses of the slain were officers subsequently recovered and the troops proceeded to pursue the fleeing terrorists.
The Troops, again, met with another set of IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, where a gun duel ensued and led to the death of one.
While others fled into the nearby forest, the Army said its troops pursued the criminals into Umalouma forest where a further gunfire broke out.
“The dissidents finally abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scampered into the thickly forested area with severe gunshot injuries.
“An additional five (4) Ak-47 rifles, one (1) Fabrique Nationale Rifle and five (2) Magazines were recovered. A total of six (5) AK 47 Rifles and a Tear Gas Launcher were recovered,” the statement said.
The Army further urged all IPOB/ESN irredentists and other criminal elements hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops’ location or meet their Waterloo.
It said troops of the Brigade would continue to ensure that residents of Imo State celebrate the Yuletide Season in peace without fear or intimidation.
“We also appeal to peace-loving Imolites to continue to support the military by giving timely intelligence on the hideouts and movements of the terrorists to enable us to rid the state of all criminality,” the Army said.